It’s a country of freedom-seekers. The pirates came to ply their pirate trading out of view. The Mennonites came from Germany and the Netherlands so they could be Mennonites without anyone bothering them. The British came to do their banking in private. And the folks from the surrounding countries have made their way across Belize’s borders over the decades in search of safety.

Ambergris Caye hovers in a vacation sweet spot: just enough amenities to make it exciting, but not so overdeveloped that you’re tripping over flip-flopped tourists. A mangrove swamp is the eye of this white beach island, the largest in Belize, and golf carts are the main form of transportation along the sandy roads.

The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or fruit which botanically is a drupe not a nut. According to Wikipedia, the spelling cocoanut is an archaic of the word and is derived from the 16th century Portuguese and Spanish “coco” meaning head or skull from the three small holes on the coconut shell that resemble human facial features.

Tikal is one of the largest ancient Maya cities in Mesoamerica and is located in Guatemala about 50 miles northwest of its border with Belize. According to Archaeologists, the Maya began building Tikal around 600 BC and at its peak some 1500 years ago, Tikal was a wealthy metropolis and home to 100,000 Maya as well as a crucial center for religion, science and politics.

With the easterly breeze and the calm waters, conditions on Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye are perfect for wind and kite surfing. There are schools on both islands offering lessons and rentals. For the serious surfers, it is possible to windsurf the 12 miles between Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye and back, although a pit stop is recommended!

Over twenty years ago the United Nations recognized March 22 as the first World Water Day. This year’s theme is water cooperation. As the following photographs show, the need for cooperation on this precious resource is great, as some enjoy plenty while others suffer drought.

With so many hotels around the world, sure, there are lots of choices to decide on. From the simplest hotel to the most luxurious and – the weirdest accommodation, travelers will never find it hard looking for a place to stay.

Belizeans looking for an exotic location combined with rainforest activities, fine dining, an enchanting setting and luxurious accommodations need look no further. Chaa Creek offers the perfect staff retreat option for the discerning professional.

Funded by the National Cancer Institute in New York, Rosita Arvigo is in a race against time, scouring the tropical rain-forests of Central America in search of cures for many deadly diseases like AIDS and Cancer, before they are wiped out by deforestation.

Marinate the lamb shanks with the garlic, oregano, pepper, all spice seeds and rum and allow marinating for at least 24 hours. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut in slices of 1/8 inch. Season the potato slices with the diced garlic and chopped oregano.

If you are looking for a holiday destination that is small and friendly, plan a trip to Belize. This beautiful country is often overlooked by those searching for a Caribbean paradise, but their loss is your gain because if you take a trip to Belize you will soon discover paradise on earth. And there is more than enough to keep you occupied 24 hours a day as you will see from the following list of the 25 things you can do on a Belize vacation.

When you visit Belize, a distinctively noticeable characteristic is the countless influences that are incorporated into the food. Offering an eclectic fusion of Caribbean, Mexican and European cuisines — food in Belize is fit for any appetite.

Bryony Fleming Bradley, who manages the Hilltop Spa at Belize’s Chaa Creek eco resort, said that the March 16 2013 Huffington Post article confirms that the health benefits of a tranquil vacation are now well documented.

Yes, in the heady multicultural mix that is Belize, the Irish are well represented. From the early days of the Baymen and buccaneers, many of whom hailed from the Emerald Isles, to present day Belize, Celtic surnames and even the odd lilt of a brogue are common. Irish priests have always been an integral part of Belize’s religious and educational life, and the Royal Irish Rangers were stationed here for years.

The Huffington Post has selected The Lodge at Chaa Creek as one of the world’s 10 most relaxing destinations for sustainable tourism. In an article entitled “Eco-Resorts: The World’s 10 Most Relaxing Destinations For Sustainable Tourism” written by Carolyn Gregoire and published today on the travel section of the Huffington Post.

Ms Fleming and her husband Mick moved to the tiny English speaking country over 30 years ago just as it was making the transition from the former crown colony of British Honduras to the modern, independent nation of Belize.

Pi Day is an annual celebration commemorating the mathematical constant (pi) and is observed on March 14 or 3/14 in month/day date format since 3, 1 and 4 are the three most significant digits of in the decimal form.

In this blog post, we highlight a dolphin which joined the paddlers on the Belize River during coverage of La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge 2013.

Many North Americans have this misconception that Belize is a distant and forgotten land deep in the rainforests of Central America. It is, in fact, only a two hour flight from Florida or a just a few hour drive from Mexico. This tiny country with an area of 8,867 square miles is unique because it was the only British colony in the region where English is the official language and Elizabeth II is still the queen.

Bryony Fleming Bradley, The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s assistant general manager, said the March 8 feature article, “Spotlight on Belize”, was correct in pointing out that the Cayo District is now the second most visited area in Belize.